Starr Utash, from left, sits with her daughters, Felecia Utash and Mandi Emerick, in the front row for a prayer vigil for their father, Steve Utash, at the Historic Little Rock Baptist Church in Detroit on Thursday night. RAY SKOWRONEK - Digital First Media

At a prayer vigil for him Thursday, Steve Utash’s brother and sister’s emotions demonstrated their concern for their loved sibling.

“I don’t know what his (God’s) plan is right now,” Ken Utash told the crowd of 700 at a Detroit church Thursday night. “He’s sending us through these trials right now. ... I’d like you to pray for my brother. He’s doing better.”

His sister, Cheryl Murley, was tearful during much of the service, requiring tissues to wipe her cheeks. She was brief but succinct in her comments.

“I’m not much for speaking in public, but thank you all,” Murley told the crowd, still clutching tissue.

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Utash’s children, former wife and other friends and relatives attended the service Thursday. Utash, 54, of Clinton Township, was viciously attacked and beaten April 2 after stopped to check on a 10-year-old boy whom he had accidentally struck with his pickup truck on Morang Street. Five people have been arrested.

The family appeared mostly upbeat in response to the positive, energetic messages of hope delivered by many of the speakers, who talked about unifying the Detroit area and overcoming racial divisions.

Utash’s son, Joe, who works with his dad, stood up to clap several times. When he was singled out by Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan as a “true Detroiter” because of an old English “D” tattooed on his forearm, the crowd laughed and Joe smiled and raised his arm to show his ink of devotion to the city.

Starr Utash, Steve Utash’s former wife, sat with her children and appeared to be crying when a speaker singled out Deborah Hughes, the woman who intervened and stopped a more several beating.

The Utash family, filling the front pew and more, clapped wildly for Hughes.

Laura Gress of Warren was one of many friends of the Utash family who attended. She said the service affected her deeply.

“I’m overwhelmed right now,” she said moments afterward. “I just love all the love in the room.

“I came here just to support and be together with Detroit.”

Utash’s daughters, Mandi Emerick, 26, and Felecia Utash, 20, both of Warren, sat with the babies during the service and listened intently to the speakers.

Felecia, in a brief interview afterward, said her father is “breathing on his own,” as a breathing tube has been removed.

He remains in critical condition in St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit in a medically induced coma, a family member said. He still become “restless” when doctors reduce the medication, a family member added.

The Utash family was lauded by one speaker for their lack of vengeance or hatred in response to the beating of their loved one.

Ken Utash joined with the pastors and other speakers who praised Detroit police and other city officials for their actions in the case. He talked about the need to make sure his brother’s attackers are held accountable by their neighbors.

“They (the culprits) might be coming after your family members next,” he said.

The family’s online fundraising campaign for Steve Utash’s medical bills reached $159,000 from more than 3,900 contributions by Thursday night.

A fundraiser will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Gonzo Art Studio in Roseville, where Utash lived for more than 20 years.